Join Southampton’s heritage steamship SS Shieldhall for a rarely seen and wonderful sight on southern coastal waters on Saturday 13th September when two heritage steamships, Shieldhall and Waverley, both built in Scotland and today forming part of the National Historic Fleet, meet up and steam together in the Solent.
This special rendezvous is being arranged as the culmination of Shieldhall’s 70th anniversary year afloat, and is not to be missed! Shieldhall will steam down Southampton Water and head out to the Solent Forts, before meeting with Waverley and heading west in tandem towards Cowes. Over the course of approximately one hour, the two ships will steam together, allowing plenty of opportunities for photography and whistle tooting as Shieldhall and Waverley salute one another in time-honoured style! During the voyage Shieldhall will pass the cruise ships Celebrity Apex, Iona, MSC Virtuosa and Sky Princess – more opportunities to sound her whistle and play the ‘Shieldhall Organ’!
Shieldhall’s Chairman Martin Phipps noted: ‘We’re delighted to announce the ‘Steam Together’ sailing with Paddle Steamer Waverley, which has been in the planning stage for a little while. The sight of the two ‘Glasgow icons’ steaming in the Solent is sure to bring back wonderful memories for many people. It’ll be a fitting way to mark the final steaming weekend for Shieldhall in our 70th anniversary year.’
Tickets for this not-to-missed event are £62 adults; £23 children 3-15 and £147 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children). Shieldhall will depart her 110 Berth in Southampton’s Western Docks at 1pm and will return to 110 Berth at 7pm. There is free parking close to Shieldhall, and a wide range of refreshments will be available on board. Tickets may be purchased at www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk/bookings, or through contacting the Ticket Manager on 023 8155 0242, tickets@ss-shieldhall.co.uk
To view Shieldhall’s complete 2025 sailing programme, list of Open Days and dates for Heritage Adventure Training Days at Sea and Experience Days, please visit: www.ss-shieldhall.co.uk
Image: Shieldhall and Waverley passing The Needles in 2023, credit Will Faulkner, supplied by Steamship Shieldhall.
Zone
South East